Pittsburgh as a possible retirement location (Philadelphia, Taylor: fit in, sales, real estate)

[Caladium]

I have some friends who are starting to consider where to retire. Although they laughed when I first suggested Pittsburgh, I think it might actually be a contender for their particular needs. OTOH I don't live there and am not an expert... so I thought I'd turn to you guys and see what you think.

Here are the requirements:

1. They can spend up to $350,000 but less is even better. (Every $$$ saved can be used to travel.) They're also intrigued by the idea of getting a truly fabulous place, so they might want to see how much $350,00 could get them.

2. Small is ok, but they probably don't want less than 2 BR and 1200-1300 sf. New or old are fine. They don't care about "character" but they do care that the place is easy to maintain. A condo with a view could be very appealing. I'm thinking they could find an incredible downtown tower condo right near the river.

3. These people are avid kayakers. They want to be within a mile of a large lake or river that they can go kayaking on.

4. Fairly close (a mile or two) to a good hospital, grocery store, pharmacy, veterinarian and other stores. Restaurants are nice but not important. Being near medical facilities is vital.

5. Sidewalks/walking trails that seniors would feel ok walking on are essential. They walk a lot and one of the big appeals to Pittsburgh is they heard they could live a mostly car free existence.

6. How are the winters? They don't mind grey or rain (Portland and Seattle are also contenders) but do not want to shovel lots of snow every winter.

7. They like to travel, so they need to be near an airport that flies to the west coast, Caribbean and Europe. I'm assuming Pittsburgh's is a major airport, right?

8. I know that Pittsburgh has a lot of seniors, but is that mostly people in their 80s and 90s or also seniors in their 50s and 60s? They want to meet other people their age. Also, they are a little worried that most of the people have lived there for decades and already have too many friends and family, so they will not be interested in befriending new residents. What do you think, is this a concern?

9. They are also a little worried about what they call "the yinzer factor." They think they'll mostly meet former steel workers and won't really fit in. My friends are more the "wine tasting-and-symphony" crowd. There are lots of people like that in Pittsburgh, right? I mean, it's a large city, so it would have all kinds of people and plenty of people they'll fit in with, right? Opinions?

10. They are envisioning a retirement where he can volunteer as a docent in a museum or maybe on some sort of historical committee. Maybe an architectural type of committee. She wants to be near a few nice public gardens and wants to volunteer at one of them. They aso like art museums and libraries.

11. They like concerts. What sort of outdoor concerts does Pittsburgh have in the summer? Also, places to hear jazz that seniors might enjoy. Do the local universities have classical/jazz concerts? They also like 60s music and musicians like James Taylor.

Given this list, I think they could find most of these things in Pittsburgh (even though it isn't one of the places you usually think of as a retirement mecca). Opinions?

[BrianTH]

I definitely think Pittsburgh is a possibility. As general advice, I'd suggest they come and rent for a year or two before buying a place, so they can really get a feel for where they want to live. But looking ahead . . .

I'm not sure about condos that size in Downtown for that price--although maybe in the Chatham Center?--but there are a lot of other condo complexes in nice locations if you are willing to spend that much. Personally, I'd probably suggest they start with Shadyside--it has a lot of condo complexes, a nice mix of people of the sorts they are looking for (including active seniors and non-natives), lots of convenient stuff in the neighborhood, it is full of hospitals, and you can hop to Downtown for kayaking. You can walk a lot in that area, and the big parks like Schenley and Frick aren't far. Lots of the museums and gardens are nearby. People sometimes complain about how much we mention Shadyside around here, but it really is in the middle of everything and a good choice for a newcomer to the City, assuming you can afford it.

I'm not sure about jazz--I am sure it is around--but there are a lot of outdoor concerts in the summer. In fact the new Stage AE is going to have a lot of outdoor concerts, and there are also annual series on Walnut Street (in Shadyside), at the Frick Art & Historical Center (Point Breeze), Market Square (Downtown), and a bunch of other places.

Edit: Oh, the airport. To be frank, we could use more direct flights to the West Coast and Europe--we usually end up connecting somewhere. On the plus side, it is a pretty nice airport.

[Caladium]

What about Squirrel Hill?

Also, where are the kayak launches near downtown? Is there a rental facility? They own their own but if I go up and visit them I'd like to be able to rent one.

A small town in the surrounding area is also a possibility, if you guys know of a neat little town. Like maybe they could go live in Punxsatawney and be part of the Groundhog Day committee?

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by Caladium

What about Squirrel Hill?

Also, where are the kayak launches near downtown? Is there a rental facility? They own their own but if I go up and visit them I'd like to be able to rent one.

There's a Kayak rental right next to PNC park under the bridge.

Here's a pic I took when I was biking the Riverfront trail and they had a group kayak session.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Caladium

1. They can spend up to $350,000 but less is even better. (Every $$$ saved can be used to travel.) They're also intrigued by the idea of getting a truly fabulous place, so they might want to see how much $350,00 could get them.

Be forewarned, it would be a mistake for them to buy as much as they can get for 350k. Newcomers end up with a higher cost of living in Pittsburgh when they don't understand that our housing prices are what make Pittsburgh a lower cost of living area. You can only experience a lower cost of living if you buy the same size house you had elsewhere. When you buy as much house as you can, you discover that you end up paying more in property taxes and utilities to heat the larger place. (Utilities are higher here than most regions of the country.)

Why are property taxes higher here? Because housing prices are lower! Regions with higher property values don't need higher tax rates to run government services and schools. Since Pittsburgh's property values are lower, the tax rates have to be higher to bring in the same money to run schools and government services.

btw, one benefit you didn't list is that Pennsylvania doesn't tax retirement income.

[Caladium]

Are there places in or near Shadyside where they might have a great view? Even better would be a place along a river or lake.

[Retiredcoach]

I cannot speak to all of your requirements, but there is a reason why so many seniors can be found retiring in Pittsburgh region. First and foremost, it would have to do with the favorable economics. There are no state or local taxes on pensions. There are no sales taxes on food, medicine, or clothing. Real estate taxes can be higher in Allegheny County proper (there is a homestead exclusion, however, in the county), but real estate is considered very affordable when compared nationally. Outside of Allegheny County, real estate taxes are even lower, but the trade-off in the desired amenities could be an issue for some newcomers.

The hospital network in Pittsburgh is nationally-renowned. The universities and colleges offer many advantages to seniors. As for the snow, I used my snow blower 5-6 times this winter season, and I was snowed in one day. My school district canceled school twice this winter, and had probably 5 delays... probably the best indicators of Pittsburgh winters.

I do not know of many that have chosen to retire to Pittsburgh who have not lived in the region before. Pittsburgh, and the regions surrounding the city, have much to offer, but stereotypes still linger. When many think of the "Burgh", they think of smokestacks, pollution, and deterioration.... important issues in the distant past, but no longer of any significant purpose today. It is still one of the most livable cities in the country, and as soon-to-be future retiree, I will vacation in warmer winter climes, but "live" in Pittsburgh.

[BrianTH]

Squirrel Hill is a fine choice too--it doesn't have quite as many condo developments as Shadyside, but otherwise pretty much has the same appeal.

Places that size with a great view in great neighborhoods for that price are going to be tough--we may be inexpensive, but we are not THAT inexpensive. But I'd try looking in the South Side Slopes, in addition to seeing what Downtown and maybe the Chatham Center has. Same deal with riverfront locations (plus everything else)--they may be just a bit too pricey.

[Debbie1125]

Well, I live in Philadelphia and am considering a move to Pittsburgh when I retire, so this is not such a strange idea. I'm used to the cold weather here so the Pittsburgh winters would not bother me.

I've been laughed at too and asked why I would want to go to Pittsburgh.

[Caladium]

There's a place called Gateway Towers that looks like it might be appealling. Does anyone know anything about this place? OK neighborhood? A place you think your grandma would enjoy?

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